We seek a calming space when we frequently head to the spa, beach or mountains to relax and rejuvenate. We know it will have a profoundly positive effect on our wellbeing. You can create a sanctuary for your soul in your everyday life – in your home and even at work
Our nervous system is greatly affected by our surrounding environment. We respond, whether we know it or not, with the production of stress hormones. These hormones can make us sick!
I once played the “Alleluia” chant by Robert Gass during a lecture to introduce the concept of mantra repetition, and I asked the audience to sing the chant along with the artist. A couple of weeks later, I heard from a woman who had attended. She wanted me to know she started playing the chant instead of listening to television and said, “Even the children are more peaceful.”
Watching intense movies and sports competitions that cause you to become emotionally upset have profound effects on your nervous system. For my patient Al, a veteran with PTSD, watching combat movies resulted in a rise in blood pressure, shortness of breath and congestive heart failure. This sent him to the emergency room on a regular, monthly basis, despite the best medical treatment. Once we realized those visits were tied to his TV choices, his wife took over the remote control and limited him to the Disney Channel. Al’s ER visits ended. It was as simple as that.
Cardiovascular effects of environmental noise exposure: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3971384/#__abstractidm139665851418864title
Individual Daytime Noise Exposure during Routine Activities and Heart Rate Variability in Adults: A Repeated Measures Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3672128/
Changes in Mood States Are Induced by Smelling Familiar and Exotic Fragrances: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5099920/
Exploring Pharmacological Mechanisms of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil on Central Nervous System Targets: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5437114/